Owaisi backs Telangana lawyers agitating for separate high court

Hyderabad: MIM president Asaduddin Owaisi on Saturday demanded immediate steps by the central government for bifurcation of High Court of Judicature at Hyderabad, which is currently serving both the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

The Lok Sabha member from Hyderabad extended his full support to the ongoing protest by lawyers in Telangana, demanding the bifurcation of high court.

Owaisi also participated in a sit-in organized by the agitating lawyers in support of their demand, saying it had been two years since the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh but Telangana is yet to get its own high court.

He recalled that he had moved many amendments including one for separate high court during debate on Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill in the parliament but then Congress-led government ignored them.

Owaisi said he had cautioned against the dispute that may arise over the high court. “This has been proved right. No court is functioning in Telangana due to protest by lawyers,” he said.

Lawyers across Telangana have been protesting over appointment of Andhra origin judges for subordinate courts in Telangana. They are also demanding a separate high court for Telangana. The judicial officers have also joined the protest.

Owaisi said the existing high court building in Hyderabad should serve as Telangana High Court while Andhra Pradesh High Court should come up in Andhra Pradesh. He said the central government should provide required funds to Andhra for setting up the high court.